In this article we will formulate a Maple Leafs vs Senators prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, October 3rd at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 1-1-0 this season after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Toronto scored both of their goals in the first period and hung on for the win. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 27-26, won 60% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Toronto was led by Easton Cowan, who had one goal and one assist, while Anthony Stolarz stopped 26 out of 27 shots, which was a .963 save percentage in the win.
Prior to that game, Toronto lost to the Canadiens by a score of 3-2 to start the season. The Maple Leafs have scored 2.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.00 goals against per game, while also going 14.3% on the power play and 100.0% on the penalty kill this season. Easton Cowan has led the team with one goal and two assists, while Sergei Bobrovsky is 0-1-0 with a 3.06 goals against average and an .875 save percentage this season.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators went 44-27-11 last year and they finished with 99 points, which was fifth in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa was seven points ahead of Detroit in sixth and they were 10 points behind the Sabres for first. The Senators started the season with a 5-4 win over the Lightning, but they were just 2-5 through seven games. Ottawa did make the playoffs, but they were swept by the Hurricanes in four games. The Sens scored 275 goals last year, which was 8th in the NHL, while they allowed 245 goals against, which was 13th.
In the preseason, Ottawa went 1-3-1, which was last in the Atlantic Division. The Senators defeated the Canadiens, but lost to the Canadiens twice and the Maple Leafs twice. Ottawa is led by Tim Stutzle, who had 34 goals and 49 assists, while Drake Batherson added 33 goals and 38 assists last season. Linus Ullmark is the projected starting goalie, who went 28-12-8 wth a 2.73 goals against average and an .891 save percentage last year.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The Senators have lost each of their last four games.
- The Maple Leafs have won each of their last four games against the Senators following a home win.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven road openers.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the last three games between the Senators and Maple Leafs.
- The favorites have won the second period in seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Maple Leafs have lost each of their last six games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Senators have won four of their last five season openers as underdogs.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Senators have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Maple Leafs.
- The Senators have won the second period in each of their last six games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games as favorites following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Senators’ last five games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games as home favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last 13 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- William Nylander has scored at least one goal in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Easton Cowan has recorded an assist in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Drake Batherson has scored a goal in four of the Senators’ last five games.
- William Eklund has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs vs Senators Prediction
Toronto comes into this matchup after picking up a win in their second game on Wednesday, while Ottawa has yet to play a regular season game. The Senators had a very successful 25-26 season, but some big changes reshaped the team in the offseason. I think these teams will be very similar for most of this year, but Toronto has a huge advantage having two games under their belt already. Take Toronto to get their second win in a row here.